MANILA, Philippines — Wednesday  is remembered in many places around the world as a religious holiday – the Day of the Holy Innocents. It is named in honor of the young children who were slaughtered by order of King Herod around the time of Jesus’ birth. These young victims were called Santos Inocentes because they were too young and innocent to have committed any sins. Although the feast remains in the Catholic Liturgical calendar, today, the religious aspect has been almost forgotten with pranks dominating the celebration.

We also remember our children who have been “massacred” by the onslaught of "Sendong" in Northern and Central Mindanao. Likewise, we remember the one million children in the Sahel region of West and Central Africa who face the threat of severe malnutrition. UNICEF reminds us that some 33,600 children under the age of five are at risk in Niger. In Egypt, authorities are asked to protect children from violence due to continuing demonstrations. Many were reported to have been either injured or detained.

A recent publication, “The Future of Filipino Children” (F.R. Braid, R.R. Tuazon, and Ann L.C. Lopez, eds., Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, 260p.) examines critical issues that affect the development of children. Like the earlier project in 1998 entitled “Megatrends,” the study was made possible with support provided by the United Nations Children’s Fund with counterpart funding from the National Research Council of the Philippines.

Ms. Vanessa Tobin, UNICEF Country Representative, writes in the Foreword: “This new book, similar to its predecessor, is as invaluable not only to UNICEF but to all decision-makers in Philippine society who are influential in bringing about a nurturing environment for the children of this nation. It presents authoritative data and insights by experts on the themes covered, from their analysis of current and emerging development trends.

It also helps us to create responsive programmes and policies by not only addressing persistent challenges (such as poverty, low literacy, and armed conflict among others), but by directing our attention as well to issues such as gender inequality, overseas labor migration, and use of information technology that may at first seem peripheral to children’s lives but are shown to be highly influential.”

Social protection and safety nets, the current development buzzwords today, are discussed in the papers of Alicia Bala and Emil Javier et al:  The latter notes: “Although poverty and food insecurity incidences are declining, they remain painfully and embarrassingly high. The food security prospects in the immediate to medium term, are not very encouraging.

The needed reforms will take time to take root. We need to provide protection and safety nets for households.  Examples include cash transfers, food for work, nutrition and maternal health extension, and specific nutrition-directed interventions such as breastfeeding, training of mothers to prepare home-made nutritious weaning baby foods, school, milk feeding, and promotion of home, school and community vegetable garden.”

DSWD Undersecretary Bala describes the social protection framework as both preventive and developmental interventions. They support the basic requirements of the poor and reduce risks associated with unemployment, resettlement, marginalization, illness, disability, old age, and loss of family care.

We hope that policy and media analysts will find the book a useful resource. The topics and authors are: “Changing Family Structure and Shifting Gender Roles: Impact on Child and Development,” by Dr. Trinidad Osteria; “Promoting Gender Equality: Opportunities and Challenges,”  by  Dr. Carolyn I. Sobritchea; “Cultural Diversity: Quest for Equitable and Sustainable Development,” by Dr. Carmen A. Abubakar; “Developing the Filipino Child for 2020 and Beyond Education and Literacy,” by Dr. Minda C. Sutaria; “The Role of Social Protection in Upholding Child Rights,” by Alicia R. Bala; “Population and the Future of Children,” by Dr. Ernesto M. Pernia; “Food Security of Filipino Children in the Medium Term,” by Dr. Emil Q. Javier, Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan, Dr. Mercedes A. Sombilla, and Riza M. Trumata; “Changing Tomorrow’s Health Today,” by Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan; “Crafting Energy Policies with Benefits for the Future Generation,” by Dr. Francisco L. Viray and Myrna M. Velasco; “Economy, Environment, and Filipino Children,” by Dr. Cielito F. Habito; “Impact of Public Governance on the Rights of the Child,” by Dr. Wilfrido Villacorta; “Information and Communication Technology and Mass Media,” by Dr. Florangel Rosario Braid and Ramon R. Tuazon.  My e-mail is florangel.braid@gmail.com